Zidane: Juventus gave me drugs

Tuesday 27 January 2004 00:00 BST

Zinedine Zidane has admitted taking a list of drugs that are alleged by Italian prosecutors to have been performance-enhancing.

The Real Madrid midfielder told a Turin court he was given a variety of substances by Juventus officals during his five years at club, including Esafosfina, normally used for low phosphate levels; Neoton, used to strengthen the heart; and Samyr, an anti-depressant.

He claimed the club told him they were vitamins. He also regularly took the energyboosting substance creatine, iron supplements and the anti-inflammatory drug, Voltaren.

Zidane stressed he had not taken such substances before playing in Italy nor since joining Real Madrid in 2001.

The Frenchman's evidence was heard at the trial of Juventus officials charged with giving their players performance-enhancing drugs.

Managing director Antonio Giraudo and club doctor Riccardo Agricola admit providing the drugs but argue none of them constitutes doping. The trial continues in June.